Whitby

The new cruise destination for 2019

For the first time, the historic port of Whitby will be opening its harbour gates as an International Cruise Destination in 2019

WELCOMING CRUISES TO WHITBY

Whitby harbour has been working successfully with cruise vessels for many years, and can offer:

• A friendly, dedicated team to help your cruise go as smoothly as possible• Very competitive fees• Landing facility and linkspan in the centre of the town• Adjacent coach parking and taxi hire• Disabled-friendly, enhanced access pontoon• Predominantly sheltered anchorage• Short tender transfer with panoramic historic views• Ability to handle two large tenders in tandem or a multitude of Zodiacs• Coach or car hire is easy to arrange locallyThe Port of Whitby is just one hour by road to Durham Tees Valley International Airport for the transfer ofcrew and stores and is the gateway to Yorkshire and the north of England.

To find out more, call our friendly tourism team on 01723 383636

WHITBY CRUISE ITINERARY 1

Cross over the swing bridge to the east side of Whitby, take a left up Sandgate and reach the heart

of Whitby’s curious shops, brimming with quintessential coastal charm. The market square still

buzzes with street vendors on market days (Tuesday and Saturday). Arriving on Church Street you’ll

discover clusters of jewellers crafting and trading the rare and local gemstone derived from this very

coastline - Whitby jet.

Time for refreshment? - ‘take two’ in one of the many pit stops brimming with fresh cakes and choice

teas, a Yorkshire delicacy! At the top of Church Street, peering around the corner you’ll discover the

stone feet of the 199 steps, which replace the original wooden steps dating back to circa 1340,

beckoning you to climb them. Don’t forget to count as you go, and look out for the roman numerals.

As you reach the summit of the steps you’ll be rewarded by the Church of Saint Mary coming into

view, swiftly followed by Whitby Abbey – both buildings famed for their mention in Bram Stoker’s

‘Dracula’.

As you take a moment to catch your breath, turn on your heels and let the stunning views

of the town, coast and moors take it away again.

WHITBY CRUISE ITINERARY 2

Head up Bagdale and slip through a gate which leads to the charming gardens of Pannett Park.

Here you will find Neolithic rock art, Jurassic & South Seas Gardens and the Floral Clock - originally installed in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Once you reach the top and have taken in the views, take in some of the curious artefacts of Whitby Museum.

Uncover the astonishing natural and social history collections, relics from famous whalers the Scoresbys and explorer Captain Cook.

From here, walk through to Pannett Art Gallery, hosting an eclectic mix of 19th and 20th century works alongside the modern, well worth a gaze. Leave the park onto St Hilda’s Terrace and wander down the hill taking a left up Skinner street.

This is the perfect street for a spot of window shopping as you amble along and emerge at West Cliff.

DRAMATIC HISTORY & MAGNIFICENT COASTAL SCENERY

Whitby is an ancient town, set amidst some of England’s most breath-taking coastal scenery.The old harbour shelters beneath the haunting, cliff-top ruins of world-famous Whitby Abbey, one of England’s holiest places and the ‘birthplace of horror’.

For centuries, Whitby has been home to sea-faring adventurers, including the world’s greatest explorer Captain Cook, and the town is still one of the top fishing ports on the coast, with some of the north’s best seafood restaurants. Whitby is also internationally celebrated for its unique jewellery, handcrafting precious jet and amber in its 150 year old workshops.

A Gateway to YorkshireWhitby is an easy gateway to Yorkshire’s premier attractions: the magnificent and historic landscapes of theYorkshire Coast and North York Moors; Britain’s finest stately home, Castle Howard; steam-train journeys onthe North Yorkshire Moors Railway, star of ‘Harry Potter’; the ‘Dinosaur Coast’, a magnet for fossil-hunters;England’s best beaches for water-sports; major festivals of music, culture and sport, and much, much more!

World Class Cruise DestinationWhitby has been welcoming ships from across the world for over 250 years. It is one of England’s mosthistoric and picturesque ports, but also one of the friendliest: cruise ships can anchor close to Whitby’spiers, so the journey for passengers from ship to shore is very quick. Once on shore, the town and itsattractions – and also a coach park – are just a few steps from the harbour.

NEW INTERNATIONAL CRUISE DESTINATION FOR 2019

TOP 7 THINGS TO DO IN WHITBY

• Wander Whitby’s maze of historic streets with its quaint pubs and shops, and climb the 199 steps forstunning views over Whitby’s old fishing harbour, or hunt for fossils on the beach. Along the way, taste local specialities including traditional Yorkshire cakes and biscuits, and fish & chips – the best in Britain!

• Visit one of the North of England’s most iconic landmarks: 1500 year-old Whitby Abbey is the burial place of ancient kings and saints, and a site of holy miracles, but those haunting ruins are also known as the birthplace of Dracula.

• See one of the world's rarest and most treasured gemstones, Whitby Jet, handcrafted into exquisite jewellery in Whitby’s world-famous, traditional workshops. As the favourite jewel of Queen Victoria, jet has been exclusively worked in the town for over 150 years, and you can explore this unique heritage in local museums, and marvel at the world’s largest piece of jet, 21-feet long!

• Join Whitby’s friendly surf school to experience one of the country’s best beaches for water-sports. Play golf at Whitby’s friendly 125 year-old club, popular for its vast coastal panoramas.

• Lace up your boots for a walk along magnificent cliff-top footpaths – you might even spot a whale, dolphin or seal out at sea. Or join the ‘Baron’ for a costumed history walking tour to Whitby’s secret spots.

• Explore the life of the world’s greatest explorer in the award-winning Captain Cook Memorial Museum, or take a cruise on a thrilling replica of Cook’s tall ship, the Endeavour.

• Time your visit to enjoy one of Whitby’s major festivals, including Whitby Regatta – one of England’s oldest boat races, or the world-famous Goth Weekend, with live music and bizarre bazaars.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

If ever a town was associated with a literary character, it's Whitby and Count Dracula. Author Bram Stoker stayed in Whitby in the late 1800s, and was so inspired by its ruined abbey and clifftop church he created his most famour character. Dracula arrives in this countruy after his ship runs aground off Whitby, and runs up the famous 199 steps in the guise of a black dog. Visit the spine-chilling Dracula Experience, look out for one of the regular Dracula events run by English Heritage at Whitby's dramatic abbey or join a guided 'In Search of Dracula' Whitby Walk.

Whitby Abbey

Founded by St Hilda in the 7th century AD, the majestic Benedictin Whitby Abbey inspired many writers from Caedmon, the earliest known English poet, Bram Stoker, creator of Dracula, and Michel Faber, whose murder mystery The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps is set in and around the Abbey.

In the care of English Heritage, the Abbey's imaginative visitor centre is behind the classical frontage of a mansion house which once belonged to the Cholmley family, and worth a visit in its own right.

Setting Sail

The best way to explore Whitby's rich maritime history has to be by actually getting out on the water. Take a trip on board the Bark Endeavour, a 40% sized replica of Captain Cook's ship built by local craftsmen. Join a whale-watching trip - species spotted over the last few years have included minke, fin, sei, northern and humpbacks, as well as seals, dolphins and porpoises. Or enjoy a pleasure trip aboard the venerable former Whitby lifeboat the Mary Ann Hepworth - dating from the '30s, she was one of the RNLI's longest serving boats.